Libya hopes African Cup success can bring joy

FILE - In this Saturday Sept. 3, 2011 file photo the Libyan national soccer team, holding the pre-Gadhafi flag, celebrates their win in a match, their first since rebels took control of the Libyan capital, against Mozambique in Cairo, Egypt. Top-ranked African team Ivory Coast and World Cup quarterfinalist Ghana were already strong contenders for the African Cup, which kicks off on Saturday Jan 21, 2012, because of their star-studded squads. But the absence of former champions Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa has made the Ivorians and Ghanaians the standout countries at this year's tournament, which will be co-hosted by West African neighbors Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Libya battled through civil war at home to make its third African Cup. (AP Photo)

BATA, Equatorial Guinea — For Libya, a victory at the African Cup of Nations would be about so much more than sports.

Libya plays co-host Equatorial Guinea in the opening game of Africa's continental soccer championship Saturday, the culmination of an unlikely 12-month campaign to reach the event amid political turmoil and civil war.

While the rebellion against Moammar Gadhafi raged at home, Libya's national team went undefeated in qualifying despite having to play all its matches in other countries — and with some players having joined the rebel forces on the front line.

The team became a symbol of the revolution when it donned new uniforms featuring the red, black and green colors of the country's new flag in a 1-0 qualifying win over Mozambique. It hopes to provide a similar sense of pride those back home by doing well in the tournament.

"This is much more important than just some football cup," said midfielder Walid al-Katroushi, who fought on the rebel front line against the Gadhafi regime. "We came here because we want to do something good for Libya — we are not here to enjoy ourselves."

The team arrived in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, the players looking tired but relaxed as they checked into a new hotel in the coastal city of Bata. A handful of Equatorial Guinea soldiers and police were there as security.

Al-Katroushi wore a stoney expression, mirroring the team's quiet determination. He said there is a sense of responsibility.

"The Libyan people understand football — they love the game," he told The Associated Press. "It's a long time since the country had something to smile and be happy about and that's up to us now."

Al-Katroushi left a training camp in Tunisia in April to join the rebel forces, a decision that has given him a different perspective on things like soccer.

"Of course, everybody would be afraid of dying at a young age, but we had to do something to make a change in the government," said the 25-year-old midfielder, who plays for Libyan club Etihad. "I'm proud of what we did, but that's not why we fought. We did it for our country."

The team's Brazilian coach, Marcos Paqueta, says the players used the political crisis as extra motivation.

"The players have talent but they didn't believe in this talent before," he said. "We had to change that mentality to give them courage and attitude. The rebellion seemed to make them more determined, more focused, more able to play above themselves."

Libya has a good chance to advance from Group A, having been drawn with No. 151-ranked Equatorial Guinea, an injury-hit Zambia team and the strongest opposition on paper, Senegal. The top two teams make the quarterfinals.

Equatorial Guinea's players were given a different kind of motivation for the team's debut match at the African Cup. The president's son announced he was putting up a $1 million victory bonus for the team to share, plus $20,000 per goal against Libya.

Despite the financial incentive and home advantage, the lowly ranked team — currently behind the likes of Benin and Samoa in FIFA's standings — should give Libya few problems.

The co-host's preparations were hurt when experienced French coach Henri Michel resigned just a few weeks before the tournament, leaving Brazilian replacement Gilson Paulo little time.

"If we win the first game that will be an added boost, but we must go step by step," Paqueta said. "It would be a dream for the players to do well and go far in the tournament. It would be a miracle to be champion."

Libya wrapped up its preparations with a respectable 1-0 loss to tournament favorite Ivory Coast in a tuneup game in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Ivorian defender Kolo Toure, an experienced Manchester City player, praised the Libyans.

"They are a good team and very well organized," he said. "They don't have a lot of stars but they have pride. We have a lot of respect for them. This team is really, really strong."